Russian government not try to interfere in investigation over Skolkovo foundation - Surkov

In reply to the question whether the Russian government gave the instruction to conduct any inquiries over the criminal case

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WASHINGTON, April 25 (Itar-Tass) - The Russian government is absolutely not trying to interfere in the investigation, which concerns the Foundation of Development of the New Technologies Development and Commercialization Centre (the Skolkovo Foundation), Russian Deputy Prime Minister Vladislav Surkov told reporters here on Wednesday evening after a meeting of the Russian-U.S. working group on innovations. The bilateral working group on innovations is included in the U.S.-Russia Bilateral Presidential Commission. Surkov and U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment Robert Hormats are the co-chairmen of the working group.

In reply to the question whether the Russian government gave the instruction to conduct any inquiries over the criminal case, which the Russian Investigative Committee opened against several high-ranking officials of the Skolkovo Foundation, the deputy prime minister responded, “Not at all.”

“There is a scope of measures, inspecting measures, which, as you witness, are being held throughout the country and concern all major projects, where the budgetary funds are used,” Surkov noted.

“I do not believe that the government is empowered to give such instructions. There is the division of powers,” the deputy prime minister noted. “The supervising agencies are doing their work, and we are doing our work,” Surkov stated.

“We help in the issues, where something is needed from us (to the law enforcement agencies); we request in the issues, where something is needed from them,” the deputy prime minister noted. “The normal, routine work goes on,” he said in conclusion.